Abstract
The processes of litter decomposition, mineralization, and humus accumulation have early been recognized to be crucial for nutrient storage and supply to plants (e.g. Bocock and Gilbert, 1957; Falconer et al., 1933; Gustafson, 1943; Lunt 1935; Minderman, 1968; Shanks and Olson, 1961; Witkamp and Olson, 1963). Climatic conditions and litter quality greatly influence the process of litter decomposition (Couteaux et al., 1995; Fog, 1988). Concerning the litter quality, changes in the kind and amount of mineral and organic compounds during decomposition were measured and discussed with respect to their availability or decomposition-enhancing or-retarding effects. The course of decomposition was described mathematically in order to make the turnover-and accumulation-processes of different types of litter and soil humus comparable among each other (e.g. Jenny et al., 1949; Olson, 1963). Several researchers emphasized that the decomposition course should not be represented by simple exponential functions because of the complex composition of organic material (e.g. Howard and Howard, 1974; Minderman, 1968).
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Bergmann, C., Fischer, T., Hüttl, R.F. (1998). Decomposition of needle-, herb-, root-litter, and Of-layer-humus in three Scots pine stands. In: Hüttl, R.F., Bellmann, K. (eds) Changes of Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects on Forest Ecosystems. Nutrients in Ecosystems, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9022-8_10
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